On February 26th, Central’s HOSA Club went to Billings Clinic to attend their annual Immersion Day. Many students walked away with a deeper understanding of healthcare due to the many great speakers, a tour of the Med Flight Helicopter, and time in the Sim Lab. Every HOSA member was involved and influenced at the end of the experience.
From L-R: Juniors, Maclayn Clark and Lucy Baker inside Billings Clinic’s MedFlight control center. (Ella Fairbanks )
HOSA is an international club where students learn and get to experience different parts of the medical field. Although they do many activities, Immersion Day is a highlight as it is very memorable and interactive for everyone. President Annie Hanser explained, “Seven different speakers from different departments came in and talked to us. They each talked for thirty-minute blocks, and we could ask questions.” The speakers varied from infection control professionals to pharmacists. She concluded that the speakers were very informative and every student walked away with a better understanding of what kind of medical field they would like to pursue.
Throughout the day, HOSA members participated in interactiveactivities such as touring the Med Flight Helicopter, participating in a simulation lab, and doing Stop the Bleed Injections. Vice President and two-year participate in Immersion Day, Ella Fairbanks stated, “I think the best part for me was going and doing the Sim Lab. We got to learn about baby delivering and NICU Nursing.” Fairbanks further explained that last year, she was able to be in the operating room while a surgery was taking place. Many students, including Fairbanks, think that the interactive part of Immersion Day is what inspires them most to continue pursuing and exploring what working in the medical field is like and what it entails.
As members of Central’s HOSA Club, students experience an amazing opportunity with Immersion Day, which fuels much interest in the medical field. Many students walk away with better clarity of what their interests are, and what they would like to consider moving forward. The day allowed students to experience hands-on activities, as well as hearing from professional medical workers. For those students considering a career in the medical field, this day is an experience like no other. Immersion Day continues to be a great success for every HOSA student, and is an experience that is enlightening and educational for all.
